Social Ranking Inside Prison is Not What We Think it Should Be From the Outside

There’s a hierarchy in prison, but it can vary based on several factors, including the type of crime committed, the individual’s behaviour, affiliations, and personal characteristics. However, here’s a generalized hierarchy based on the severity of crimes:

Prison Social Hierarchy based on Type of Crime:

• Violent Crimes: These typically rank higher as they directly harm others. Murder, assault, and armed robbery are often considered at the top of this hierarchy.
• Sex Crimes: Offenses like rape or sexual assault are often looked down upon and can result in ostracization within the prison community.
• Drug Trafficking: In some cases, drug trafficking can be perceived as worse than drug possession due to the potential impact on communities and individuals.
• Property Crimes: Burglary, theft, and vandalism may not always be seen as the most serious offences, but they can still carry some stigma.
• White-Collar Crimes: While these offenses may involve significant financial loss, they are often viewed as less severe compared to crimes involving physical harm.

Public Perception of Crime Severity:

• Murder: Public perception usually ranks murder as the most severe crime due to its irreversible consequences and societal taboos.
• Sexual Assault/Rape: Similarly, sexual crimes are seen as highly egregious due to the violation of personal autonomy and dignity.
• Child Abuse: Crimes against vulnerable populations, especially children, are often regarded with extreme disdain.
• Terrorism: Acts of terrorism evoke fear and outrage, often resulting in them being ranked highly in terms of severity.
• Drug Trafficking: While the public recognizes the harm of drug trafficking, it might not always be perceived as the worst crime compared to violent offences.

Differences and Insights:

• There’s some alignment between public perception and the prison hierarchy, particularly regarding crimes like murder and sexual assault.
• However, the public may rank crimes like terrorism and child abuse higher than the prison hierarchy might, where factors like immediate harm within the prison community might weigh more heavily.
• The prison hierarchy reflects a blend of moral judgments, survival instincts, and pragmatic concerns. Crimes that directly threaten the safety or cohesion of the prison community might be ranked higher regardless of public perception.
• Media portrayal, cultural norms, and legal frameworks can influence public perception. In contrast, the prison hierarchy is more influenced by day-to-day interactions and power dynamics within the confined environment.

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